[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 001

Sat Jan 6 21:49:47 CST 2007

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetchurchofchrist.org

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME TWO::ISSUE 001::January 07, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: A Lesson For A Friend

ARTICLE TWO: A Wise Women's Example

A Lesson For A Friend

"There is nothing greater: No goal, no dream, no aspiration, no thought, or imagination, greater than a home in Heaven". There is no challenge that is not worth the effort it requires to overcome in order to make Heaven your own. There is no pit in life too deep; or place in this world too far away; that God cannot be near you and help you if you are willing to seek Him and you desire His help (Acts 17:27).

Many are failing under the pressures of this temporary life because we cannot see past the moment in which we are living.  We must develop a wider perspective so that we can see beyond the horizon of today, into the everlasting tomorrow. Life on earth is temporary (James 4:14). After this life there waits for us an endless eternity in which we will be placed in either a place of joy or a place of great torments. That placement will be determined by a judgment of our individual lives on this earth (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

I want you to make it to the place of Joy-Heaven. My goal is just that simple. I want to encourage you to overcome, endure and be prepared for the day, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ returns to gather us home.

Know That You Are Not Alone

            I want you to know that you are not alone. There are so many ways in which we fail ourselves. Thinking we are alone is just one. Our own minds can convince us that nobody cares; nobody understands the temptations we face; everyone else has it easy; we are alone. These thoughts are simply not true. We must put those thoughts away and come to the realization that God has provided for us.  

Who cares? God cares. He has promised His care and desires that you place your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). The burdens of life can be too much if we try to carry them ourselves. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Paul, throughout his many trials of life, showed contentment (Philippians 4:11-13) and determination (Philippians 3:13-14). He knew that God cared and he relied on that care. 

Who understands your temptations?  All of us have challenges we must overcome. All of us are tempted. Everyone suffers. Regardless, you must overcome your own challenges and not excuse them by comparison to others. Your temptations are no different than mine (1 Corinthians 10:13). No one's temptations are impossible to overcome. When we overcome we will have a crown of life (James 1:12-15).  Trials make us stronger (1 Peter 1:6-9). The reward that God offers far outweighs the cost of overcoming our daily challenges (Romans 8:16-18).

            You are not alone. God is with you. Nothing can forcefully separate you from God's love (Romans 8:31-39). We-your brethren-are with you (Romans 12:9-13).          

Know That You Can Do What You Need To Do

What do you need to do? You must make your life right before God. You must follow God's, "instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The word of God is the key to success. When we read it and apply God's word we will know what we need to do and be doing what we need to do in order to overcome our trials. 

You must also truly repent. You must, once, and for all, put the sin out of your life (Ephesians 4:17-24). Put off the former conduct. Do not keep going backwards. Put on the new (created in true righteousness and holiness). 

God's plan is for everyone and everyone includes you (Matthew 28:18-20 "All the world."). Everyone who is willing to conform to His will can be acceptable to Him (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Peter 3:9). This means that you, no matter what you are faced with, can be pleasing and acceptable to God, if you desire to be.

Know That You Can Overcome

You can overcome every obstacle, every snare, and every pitfall of life if you trust God. God has promised you His care (1 Peter 5:7). God has promised you to provide a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). God has promised you that nothing can separate you from His love, except you (Romans 8:31-39).  You must decide, "I will look for the way of escape, I will go to God, I will trust God." 

Going to God is a total commitment. You must purify your heart and focus on the goal (James 4:7-8). You must be willing to live the statement of Jesus from Matthew 26:39, "Not as I will, but as You will". If you fully commit to God, willingly conduct your life according to His will and continue one step at a time you will overcome.    

You must also trust the help that God provides.  He has supplied help through His word: The good and perfect gift that instructs how to overcome. James 1:13-15, explains that we sin by giving into temptation. James 1:17-18: Explains that God has provided help. James 1:19-25: Explains that we must accept and apply the help; doing so will result in being blessed. God has also supplied help in your brethren: God has provided a network of help, a safety net-in your brethren. We will love you: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 "Brotherly love never fails".  We will be patient with you: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 "Brethren.be patient with all".  We will pray with you and for you: James 5:16 "Pray for one another". 

Conclusion:

There is nothing greater: no goal, no dream, no aspiration, no thought or imagination, nothing greater than a home in Heaven." There is no challenge that is not worth the effort it requires to overcome in order to make Heaven your own. There is no pit in life deep enough; nor place in this world far enough away that God cannot be near you, and with you, if you are willing and you want Him to be (Acts 17:27). 

I want you to go to Heaven. I want you to know that you can get there and I want to help you. You can know what you need to do and you can do it. ~tss

A Wise Women's Example

      There are many fine examples of mothers throughout the Bible. Certainly tops on the list would be Moses' mother, the woman of Proverbs 31, certainly Mary the Mother of Jesus, Lois the mother of Eunice the mother of Timothy. 

It would be wonderful to consider them all in greater detail but time will not permit. So, let's look to a different example that will show us a mother and her love for a child demonstrating proper attitudes and persistent actions. We find the record of this unnamed mother in gospels of Mark and Matthew (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). 

Let's consider in the most part Matthew's account of this woman. We will approach this lesson from the perspective of looking at her demonstrations of wisdom.

To Go To The Right Person (v. 21-22).

By jumping ahead one verse in our context (vs. 22) we are told that this woman was facing a predicament-her daughter was a victim of demonic possession.  Urgently wanting to find a cure for this problem she turned to the one she had heard about. His fame had spread (Matthew 4:23-25).  So great was His fame that He could not find a place to be alone (Mark 7:24). 

She was driven by the greatness of her need. What mother would not seek relief for a daughter who was so grievously in need? She was certain of the things that she had heard and certain that Jesus could heal her daughter.  She exhibited her faith in Jesus. Even in the way that she addresses Him: She called Him "O Lord, Son of David". Her respect was clear and she also regarded Him as someone worthy of worship. Quite the contrast to some Jews recorded earlier in this same chapter (Matthew 15:8-9).

Be Persistent (v. 23-24).

 Even though, at first Jesus "...answered her not a word." She knew there were no other options; only Jesus could help her. Some may question why Jesus did not answer her at first, it was not disdain, but rather it was a test of her faith and as a lesson for His
disciples.  We learn that the disciples wanted Him to send her away. They regarded her persistence as a nuisance (Matthew 14:15). 

When Jesus did respond it was in a curious fashion: "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This woman was a Gentile; a Canaanite-Mark says a "Syro-Phoenician." The intent of the ministry of Christ was to Israel. In fact the Gentile world did not have the promise of hope until the Great Commission ("all the world"-Mark 16:15-16). 

She continued to honor Him (vs. 25). She utters the cry "Help me."  We understand that it was the daughter who stood in need but could we separate a mother's need away from the needs of her daughter since the mother's desire was wrapped up in the daughter's need. Her approach to Jesus was not of demand, much rather it was all about humility, having found no other source of help, she pleaded-all self-confidence and self-reliance have vanished-she is bowed at His feet and begging Him for help.

Accept What He Said (v. 26-27).

Jesus points out the priority of the Jews over the Gentiles. "But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.'" This in itself is also very curious, Jesus is however regarding the priority placed on the "Jew first" then the others later. She does not argue or quarrel. She is willing to accept all that He has said. Yet, she realizes that there is a slight chance and she is willing to take it. "And she said, 'Yes, Lord, even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.'" 

Jesus recognized her great faith in Him and He rewarded her (v. 28). She had passed the test of her faith.  Her daughter was healed at that very instance.  Mark points out the healing in Mark 7:30. 

Conclusion:  

While this account focuses on a mother and her love and concern for her daughter: There is also a lesson to be learned about salvation. These same points will work for one who is in sin. You must seek the right person (Matthew 1:21). Do not give up (Acts 17:27).  Be persistent (James 4:10). Accept what He says (Mark 16:16). Faith always has a reward (1 Peter 1:9). Are you seeking freedom from sin? Listen to this example and make your life right with God today. ~tss

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If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

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